LEVEL UP: A Wedding Photography + Videography Podcast

260: How Hanging Out With Industry Friends Earned Me $34k in December

Taylor Petrinovich & Kelley Gilster | The Level Up Co. Episode 260

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0:00 | 49:23

If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens inside rooms like Engage! Summit and whether they are really worth it, this episode is a full, honest debrief.

We’re taking you behind the scenes of three days spent surrounded by some of the top planners, designers, photographers, and filmmakers in the luxury space and sharing what actually matters once you’re in the room.

Because yes, the details are beautiful. The events are over the top. But that is not why you go.

We talk about what it looks like to walk into a room like this for the first time, the social dynamics that no one prepares you for, and how networking at this level is so much less about pitching yourself and so much more about building real, long term relationships.

We also get into the real ROI of events like this. When it makes sense to go, when it does not, and why getting in the right rooms at the right stage of your business can completely change your trajectory.

And maybe most importantly, how to approach these opportunities with intention so you are not just attending, you are actually leveraging them.

If you’ve been curious about luxury industry events, feeling like you are not quite ready, or questioning if proximity really makes that big of a difference, this episode will give you clarity.

Because growth does not come from working harder.
It comes from getting in rooms that expand the way you think.

This episode was sponsored by Wanderlust Videos, use LEVELUP100 for $100 off your first edit at https://www.wanderlust-videos.com/

And thank you to VidFlow for sponsoring today's episode. Level up your delivery experience at https://vidflow.co/thelevelupco

Timestamps:
00:00 - 05:30 | Elevating Client Experience & Podcast Introduction
05:31 - 12:00 | Arriving at Engage: First Impressions & Event Overview
12:01 - 20:30 | Gifting Experience, Event Structure & Behind-the-Scenes Moments
20:31 - 30:30 | Networking, Social Dynamics & Making Meaningful Connections
30:31 - 40:30 | Education Sessions, Branding Presence & Industry Insights
40:31 - 49:07 | Key Takeaways, ROI of Networking Events & Final Reflections

The next round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Spring 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 8 week program. Learn more + save your seat here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind

📲 Love this episode? Screenshot and share it on social media! Tag us on Instagram at @TheLevelUpCo and let us know your biggest takeaway.

The Level Up Co. Resources:
- Wedding Planner Email Templates: https://thelevelupco.com/planner-email-template-bundle
- Elevated Client Experience Bundle: https://thelevelupco.com/client-experience-bundle
- Elevated Shot List: https://thelevelupco.com/elevated-shot-list
- The Luxury Framework Course: https://thelevelupco.com/theluxuryframework
- The Luxury Pricing Mini Course: https://thelevelupco.com/reset

Connect with Taylor , Kelley + The Level Up Co.:
🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelevelupco/
🔗Taylor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpetrinovich/
🔗Kelley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/618studios/
💻Website: https://thelevelupco.com/